Tuesday was the first full day in office for new State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. But one of her first tasks will be figuring out what to do with the 22 people her predecessor Janet Barresi hired or promoted on her way out.

The salary of those new hires since Nov. 1 added up to $652,500. In addition, $80,000 in raises came along with those new promotions.

Since Nov. 1, Barresi hired 13 new people with yearly salaries ranging from $90,000 to $25,000. She also promoted nine employees with raises that amounted to, in some cases, $18,000 and $17,000 dollars.

"I am disappointed by the flurry of hirings, promotions and job transfers enacted by my predecessor in her final weeks." said Joy Hofmeister, who defeated Barresi in the primary election and took over as State Superintendent Monday.